My trailer wash system

[Fab1]

Hi guys,well here she is.

After this mornings letdown on a water bladder I wanted I had to make do with what I had.

I decided to put two 90 mm pvc plumbers pipes that had been sitting in my shed unused for over a decade and utilise them to store the water for my trailer wash.

These are the water pipes/tanks installed on my trailer-

Drainage cap-

This is the filler for the tanks-

Both tanks capped on ends-

The heart of the system-a rule 360gph bildge pump installed at the lowest point of the system(note the cap for servicing once the pvc Is glued up)-

Putting together the connections for the poly pipe that will rinse the trailer-

Attaching spray nozzles that will rinse the trailers internals-

Unit made up and ready to install on trailer-

Installing unit on trailer,two pipes feed into trailers side rails and two sit on top of the side rails-

Unit installed-

Tap installed to regulate water flow-

Here i still need to install a grommet and join poly pipe to pump-

After that I just need to do the plumbing for the cross rails,attach some more spray nozzles,wire the pump to the switch in the car,give the tanks a good clean and she's all done.

I will add to the post when I complete the project.

The tanks hold 43litres and will last for 7min and 35sec with tap opened wide according to the tests I did before the install which should be ample for a thorough rinsing.

Thanks for looking guys.

[rockfisherman]

Congratulations

Some very innovative ideas and well put together. I fancy myself as quite a handy man and I'm very impressed.

[Brooker435]

Nice work Fabian, I am sure there will be a few people on here that will be interested in this.

I for one like the idea of a outboard flushing system, I wonder if your system has enough pressure to do such a thing.

keep up the good work.

Regards,

Nathan

[Fab1]

Thanks Fishingphase,as you know I like to have a crack at making my own things.

Nathan, this particular setup won't have enough pressure to flush your outboard nor have the water capacity in the tanks.

If you wanted though you could increase the water carrying capacity and use a good quality deck wash pump to give you the required water pressure.

Cheers.

[Brooker435]

Thanks Fabian,

I may have to look at this in the future, in the meanwhile I have contacted my local council asking them to consider installing coin operated taps at the local ramps, dont like my chances but have to ask anyway. as I currently have no where to flush my boat where it is kept due to neighbors and their 10 cars each hogging the streets lol.

Keep up the good work.

Regards,

Nathan

[Fab1]

Hi guys,Today I finished the final glue up for the tanks,finished fitting the pump and installing 2 grommets for the pumps outlet and wiring,i also attached the main water line to the pump and all sprayers.

I filled the tanks and gave the system it's first test fitted to the trailer and it worked even better than I had hoped.

There were no leaks whatsoever except from one of the caps I forgot to do up firmly.

Here's a few photos-

Here you can see the water gushing out of the Rear crossmembers centre drain hole(I set up 3 internal sprayers to give it a good flush)

Here you can see the spray head on it's riser to flush the insides of my wheels/hubs(For those of you with braked trailers this is a must)-My trailers unbraked.

Here you can see the main water line has been connected to the pump inside the pipe by using a grommet.Pumps wiring has been feed to the outside of pipe via a grommet also.

Here the side rails internal sprayers i fitted are flushing the rails all the way from the rear to the front.(6 sprayers fitted inside each side rail).

Here you can see the trailer being flushed internally/externally.

A couple more photos of the trailer being rinsed-

Next weekend I'll wire the pump down the trailer and to the switch on the car.

Cheers.

[Cargo05]

I think you are on to something there FAB1. Many boats used in salt water are obviously cared for and look in very good condition even with a bit of age. Trailers however sometimes look the worst for wear. From my observation, although trailers are generally given a good wash after fishing, rust often starts from the inside of the trailer frame.

My local boat ramp has good wash down facilities, and great water pressure. I attached 25mm soft poly pipe and 5mm tube (as used in garden irrigation systems), to the trailer frame using cable ties. Although not clear in the photos, the small diameter tube is fed into both ends of the various members of the frame. I simply attach a hose and flush whilst I am tidying up at boat at the end of the days fishing.

I made a portable sprinkler system to wash the reminder of the trailer and the underside of the boat. I also use a cut down 200 litre plastic barrel to give the motor a good flush when I get home. None of this overcomes the major problem of saltwater on the trailer for the time spent fishing, and having launched the boat I do not feel inclined to give the trailer a quick rinse prior to spending time on the water. I have given some thought to having a water container on the tray of the ute, but at this stage haven’t gone any further.

[Fab1]

Well,all the trailer side of things is now complete.

Today I soldered and heat shrunk the wiring to the pump running it alongside (May change to internally down the rails)the trailer and through the existing grommets into the drawbar to the trailer plug.

As it happens I have 2 vacant terminals on my trailer plug and have utilised them for my pumps power/ground.

This way when I plug the trailer plug in I have power to lights and pump in the one plug.

Cheers.

[Fab1]

Well guys,after a few modifications she's finished.

I decided to run a seperate fused water proof plug to power the pump run alongside the trailer plug-

From there I ran the wiring through the boot and down the side of my car to a dash mounted toggle switch I put in-

I decided I wanted to rinse the trailer after launch and rinse the trailer and flush the outboard on retrieval,so I mounted a tap and adapter on the rear for this purpose so I could switch between the two.I made up a short length of hose to go from the muffs to the plug also-

Here a few photos of my outboard and trailer being flushed at the same time-

Someone asked me how I reverse my boat in a tight garage?I painted a line on the garage floor and simply run over it with the trailer tyre,works every time-

Side view from a short distance,not to shabby-

My prize for finishing on a hot day.

A bourbon and coke-

Here's some specs-The system will rinse and flush MY outboard for 2min and 45sec before the tanks are empty.I think the tank capacity will be fine as when I return to the ramp my engine is at operating tempreture anyway.....If not I will add tanks to the port side of the trailer.

And to Begginer aka Nathan I know you have issues trying to flush your outboard at the end of the day and if you like I'd be more than happy to put in a system similar to mine on your trailer.

Thanks for looking guys and hope I've inspired someone to have a go as it is really only basic stuff.

Cheers.

[Brooker435]

Sounds good Fab, would love the system for my boat too probably in the new year sometime, love your work!!! and that reward is very well deserved!!

I have been in contact with liverpool council about installing taps at the local ramps, to my surprise they rang me and we had a chat about it and they will look into it so theres hope but having the onboard system is a great idea and backup!!

Regards,

Nathan

[Fab1]

Sounds good Fab, would love the system for my boat too probably in the new year sometime, love your work!!! and that reward is very well deserved!!

I have been in contact with liverpool council about installing taps at the local ramps, to my surprise they rang me and we had a chat about it and they will look into it so theres hope but having the onboard system is a great idea and backup!!

Regards,

Nathan

No dramas mate,Don't hold your breath to long waiting for the mirrors (I mean the council)to take action.They're always "looking into it".

Cheers.

[Brooker435]

lol I said to the bloke on the phone that I was happy they at least acknowledged my request and rang me lets see if they do anything. at least I tried, most people wouldn't even bother and they wonder why nothing ever gets done.. I encourage everyone to contact their local councils, after all that's what they are there for!!

Regards,

Nathan

[Fab1]

Just for anyone interested I've put up a youtube video of my system running.Type in easy outboard flush/trailer wash.

It's flushing the outboard and rinsing the trailer in the video at once.

Cheers.

[topcatcher]

I Fab1,

New to the forum and while searching for some information on wiring a sounder (which I haven't found yet) I came across your post, great concept and has me thinking of doing something similar, although my trailer doesn't get into the water that far, I have a Clark 427 and can launch with the tyres just in the water, there is the splash from the swell and the drip from the boat after retrieval that needs to be washed off.

Can you advise where you got the grommets for the pump outlet and how the tank is attached to the trailer - I am guessing cable ties but can not definitively tell from the photographs.

Great idea with the line in the garage.

Regards

TC

[fragmeister]

That's a great read Fabian,

Excellent , well thought out system.

Loved the Bourbon and Coke at the end.

Cheers

[Fab1]

I Fab1,

New to the forum and while searching for some information on wiring a sounder (which I haven't found yet) I came across your post, great concept and has me thinking of doing something similar, although my trailer doesn't get into the water that far, I have a Clark 427 and can launch with the tyres just in the water, there is the splash from the swell and the drip from the boat after retrieval that needs to be washed off.

Can you advise where you got the grommets for the pump outlet and how the tank is attached to the trailer - I am guessing cable ties but can not definitively tell from the photographs.

Great idea with the line in the garage.

Regards

TC

Any hardware,auto stores will sell the grommets.The pvc pipes(tanks)were originally just on with cable ties but I've since made up a galvanised straps that are pop riveted to the tanks and trailer which secures them rigidly.I have the system of the trailer as in in the process of modifying if to carry more water and include a automatic rod wash.The yellow line works a treat.

That's a great read Fabian,

Excellent , well thought out system.

Loved the Bourbon and Coke at the end.

Cheers

Thanks mate.